Today’s scripture verses are: John 10:14-16
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me-just as the Father knows me and I know the Father- and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.”
Jesus calls himself the “Good Shepherd”.
He tells the disciples who he is in a way they can understand. I have an image of the good shepherd; like in Psalm 23. He cares for his sheep, and loves each one as if they were his children. He knows them each by name, and he knows their every need. He knows their tendencies and their ways. He feeds them, he makes them lay down to rest, he protects them from dangers and keeps them in line with his rod and staff.
So if Jesus is the shepherd, that means we are the sheep!
We start out as cute and cuddly little lambs,; sweet and innocent, and grow into big sheep that get into trouble everyday. That is because we like to wander off and go our own way and try to take short cuts through life.
In Strong’s Concordance the word “know”, in the Greek means to understand; to be sure.
Jesus understands each of us individually. He knows for sure who we are and exactly what each of us needs.
This is amazing and mind boggling to think about. Think of all the people who have lived on the earth before us and all of the people who live now, and all of those who are yet to be born. Jesus knows everyone!
In verse 16, Jesus tells of more sheep in other pens, and that all his sheep know his voice and shall be one flock and have one shepherd. In my NIV Study Bible notes it says that this is referring to the future worldwide church! All around the world Christians are united through Christ! We are one flock with one shepherd.
This is so awesome to think about. Only God can talk to everyone at the same time and tell each of us what we need to hear individually. Only God has been around all down through the ages and knows everyone that ever lived!
Then to think that though there are millions of people on earth, God loves us each individually! He knows the number of hairs on our heads! That’s so amazing!
He cares for each one of us and he speaks to each one of us.
If we listen carefully, we can each hear our Good Shepherd’s voice. What is he saying to you?
Dear Jesus,
Please help each of us to hear the message that you have for us. Help us each to tune into you and follow where you lead us. Help us to love you and trust you and to
Surrender our whole selves to you, Lord Jesus. Amen
Patrice